Adding device



Feb. 28, 1950 F. VEATCH ET AL 2,499,237

ADDING DEVICE Filed July 8, 1948 O Q 0 0 00 0 0 O 0 00000 0" O o w L I ow swim 2 T I "F O /.5 2 0O 2 Z/ 0 4 O0 2 Q6 8\ O O O Y 0 0 0 0 0 0 0JNVENTOR. FRANKLIN VEATCH MELVIN M. FINK seem 1 Patented Feb. 28, 1950ADDING DEVICE Franklin Veatch, Cleveland, and Melvin M. Fink, Par-ma,Ohio Application July 8, 1948, Serial No. 37,654

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an adding device. More particularly theinvention relates to a device having a single movable member to berotated by the person using the device in accordance with the numbers tobe added, and the sum of numbers automatically appear for readingwithout calculation. While the purposes for which the device may be usedare many, and the range of the numbers to be added may be varied, theinvention is adapted, for example, for adding bowling scores where theindividual numbers to be added are not greater than about 200 and wherethe total sum is not appreciably greater than about 1200. The device maybe constructed of plastic, wood, metals or other similar materials andis small in size so that it may be carried in a pocket and readily usedat any other convenient time, such as during a bowling game.

The device consists essentially of a lower face member and an upper facemember which are fastened together at the center and at the periphery,which members serve as a housing. A disc containing a series of numbersin a curved path is rotatably mounted between the upper and lower facemembers. The disc has holes on its periphery which may be engaged androtated 'an amount corresponding to the number to be added. Mountedbetween the upper face member and the disc is a slide movable in aslideway formed in the upper face member; the slide contains a ratchetwhich is operated by a pawl on the rotatable disc. .A window ,in theslide appears over the numbers on the disc and through this window thesum is read.

As will be obvious from the description of the device more particularlyhereinafter, the principle of the invention may be applied for addingnumbers of various magnitudes and to produce any total sum, and whilethe device illustrated is particularly adapted for adding bowling scoresit is to be understood that it may be adapted for many other purposesand may be varied in size and capacity without departing from theinvention.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, together with theobjects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the. followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a planview of an illustrative embodiment of a deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention and shown approximately toscale with portionsof the upper facemember Figure 2 is a section takenon line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of the central portion illustrating the mannerin which the slide is moved by a ratchet and pawl mechanism.

The adding device shown in the drawings and constructed in accordancewith the invention includes a lower face member I, an upper face member2, a rotatable disc 3 and a slide 4. The lower face member I has a hole5 in the center thereof, through which a pivot 6 in the form of a screwor rivet is held in place by a lower head 1 on the pivot 6. The lowerface member I is round and has upwardly curled edges 8,

The upper face member 2 is similar to the lower face member in that ithas a center hole 9 to receive the pivot 6 which has an upper head In.The periphery similary has downwardly curled edges as indicated at H.The upper face member, in addition, has two rectangular shaped openingsl2 and 13 which serve as guideways for the slide to be described later.

On the lower face member I is an extension 14 and on the upper facemember 2 is an extension l5, which extensions may be held together by apin H3 or secured in any other way. The extensions are long enough andare appropriately spaced apart by the shoulder l5a so as to permit thedisc 3 to rotate between the extensions such as shown more particularlyat IT.

The upper and lower face members, being held together by the two headedpivot 6 and the extensions l4 and I5, are immovable relative to eachother and serve as the housing for the rotatable disc 3 and for theslide 4.

The rotatable disc 3 is provided with a hole l8 in the center thereofand is mounted for rotation about the pivot 6. The disc extends beyondthe upper and lower face members as shown at l9 except for the part llwhich is enclosed between extensions I 4 and I5. Around the periphery ofthe disc are uniformly spaced holes 20. The holes are shown in only aportion of the disc in Figure 1 but in actual construction they extenduniformly around the periphery. The total number of holes in theillustrative embodiment in the drawings is 210, 201 of which are exposedbeyond the edges of upper and lower face members, and 9 of the holes arein the portion of the periphery of the disc which lies within theextensions l4 and I5. It will be understood, however, that the number ofholes ,need'loe only. holesjn the periphery of the 3 disc, and thenumber may be similarly increased or decreased. The width of theextensions M and i5 may vary so as to cover more or less than holes asthis is not critical.

One of the holes on the disc is designated with an index mark 2| todifferentiate it from all other holes. This may be a colored spot or anindentation in the circumference of the disc.

Mounted on the periphery of the upper face member are numbers equivalentto the number of holes in the periphery of the disc 2 exposed outsidethe extensions M and I5 as shown in Figure 1. These numbers as shown runfrom zero to 200 and are shown generally at 22-extendingcounter-clockwise from one side of the extension IE to the other side.Opposite each of the numbers are index lines shown at 23 leading to theholes 20. The numbers and index lines may be engraved upon the upperface of the upper face member or if this is of transparent material theymay be marked on the inner face thereof. This is preferable to avoidwear. Alternatively, the numbers and index lines may beprinted on apaper or film which is secured to the inside of a transparentupper facemember. Alternatively the numbers 22 may be on the inside of the upperface member, and the index lines on the outside'of thecurved portion ll.

A suitable pick or a sharpened lead pencil may be inserted in any of theholes and used to rotate the disc 2 while the device is being held bygrasping the upper and lower face members with sufiicient pressure tohold it, but not to apply so much friction as would prevent rotation ofthe disc 3 between the face members I and 2.

The numbers which represent the sum are printed or otherwise marked onthe upper surface of the disc 3. In the embodiment shown, the numbersfollow a circular-spiral path and the lower numbers start at the insideof the circular-spiral path. The curved paths occupied by the numbersare indicated in Figures 1 and 3 in dotted lines, but not all of thenumbers are included because of difficulty in illustration. Startingnear the inner beginning of the circularspiral path as shown in Figure1, is the number 21 0 and the numbers proceed in a circular path throughthe lower left and lower right quadrants to number 315 as shown, and areuniformly spaced in arithmetical progression. The numbers continuethrough the upper right quadrant in a circular path and then continue inthe upper left qnadrant in a spiral path to the number 420. Thus, itwill be seen that .210 numbers (the difference between 42.0 and 210 andthe total number of holes in the periphery of the disc 3) are spaced inone revolution on the circular-spiral path. Three quadrants of this pathare circular and the fourth quadrant is spiral leading to the nextcircumferentially spaced portion. In the next half turn, the numbersextend from 420 to 525, and similarly from 525 to 630 in the next halfturn, following the same circular path for 24 of the numbers and aspiral path for the last 4th. The numbers from 420 to 630 (a differenceof 210* which is the number of holes in the periphery of the disc.) areuniformly spaced around the cirvcular-spiral path. Similarly, the nextrow of figures extends from 630 to 840, and the next row from 1840 to.1050 following the same pattern, namely, a difference of 210 numbersuniformly spacedfor each revolution and arranged circular- 15 through ofthe path and spirally for the last fourth.

circular-spiral path must be related to the num- 4 ber of holes in theperiphery of the disc 3. For instance, if there were 104 holes, four ofthe holes being covered by the extensions [4 and 15, one completerevolution of the numbers on the surface of the disc would differ by 104numbers.

The numbers may be inscribed on the upper surface of the disc 3 by anymeans, such as printing or may be formed on a paper which is secured tothe disc.

The slide will now be described which consists of a rectangular membergenerally indicated at lhaving two extensions 24 and 25, on each ofwhich are mounted upwardly extending projections 26 and 2'! which extendinto the rectangular slideways .12 and 1-3 in the upper face member 2.Thus, the slide 4 is permitted to move back and forth to the extent thatthe slideways l2 and I3 permit movement of the projections 26 and 21.

Formed in the lateral extension 24 is a window or opening 28 and as theslide member is moved back and forth the numbers in the circular-spiralpaths on the upper surface of the disc .3 will be exposed through thiswindow. For instance, as the slide is moved progressively to the left inFigure l first number 210, then the number 420, etc., will be exposedthrough the window.

Also formed on the slide between the lateral extensions 24 and areaseries of ratchet teeth 29, 39, etc., the space between any two teeth 29and 30 being equal to the distance between two concentric paths ofnumbers on the upper surface of the disc .3. Mounted on the disc -3 is apawl 31 which engages the ratchet teeth 29, 30,

. etc., to move the slide to the left as the disc is turned in aclockwise direction. Thus, as the disc 3 is rotated, the pawl 3| willrotate therewith and engage the ratchet teeth 29, 30., etc., and movethe slide 4 to the left. For each complete rotation of the disc 3 theslide will be moved to the left a distance equal to the space betweenthe ratchet teeth or a distance equal to the space between twoconcentric paths of numbers on the upper surface of the disc 3. Moreparticularly, as the disc is .moved in a clockwise direction the pawl 3|will engage the tooth 29 and move the slide to the left so that thewindow 28 will appear over and expose the number 210. When the disc 3 isagain rotated one complete revolution in a clockwise direction the pawl3| will engage the tooth30 and move a slide 4 so that the window 28 willappear over the figure 420 and soon.

.As the disc is being rotated the numbers on the curved paths whichoccupy a circular configuration, namely, the lower left, lower right andupper right quadrants, will appear in the window while the slide isstationary. The 'numbers'which appear in the spiral configuration in theupper left quadrant will be exposed in the Window while the slide isbeing moved to the left by the pawl 3|. This is shown more particularlyin Figure 3 where the pawl 31 is moving the slide 4 to the left whilethe disc 3 is being rotated and while the numbers appearing in thewindow 28 are arranged in spiral configuration. The shape of the spiralis so arranged that the window in the slide moves to the left at thesame rate as the numbers advance in the spiral so that there is always anumber within the window.

In a typical operation of the device, the disc 3 is set with the holemarked with the index 2! adjacent extension i5 as shown in Figure 1, orat the zero position. In this position the'pawl 3! is out of'engagementwiththeteeth of the slide, so that the slide can be manuallymoved -to its extreme right-hand position. If, for instance, the firstnumber to be added is 190, a lead pencil is inserted in the hole of thedisc 3 opposite the number 190 on the upper face member. The disc isthen rotated clockwise until the pencil in the hole abuts the extension[5 or in other words to the position shown opposite the zero number. Ifthe next number to be added is the pencil is inserted in the holeopposite 20 and the disc moved clockwise until the pencil abuts theextension l5. In this way, the disc will have been rotated a total ofone complete revolution and the window 28 will have been moved one notchto the left and will appear over the figure 210 in the first circle.Since the disc will have been moved one complete revolution, the figure210 on the disc will have been turned round exactly 360 and will occupythe same position as shown in Figure l. The slide, however, will havebeen moved to the left so the window 28 is over the figure 210. Thisshows the sum of 190 and 20. If the next figures to be added are 100 and110 the disc will be turned in the same way and will have rotated acomplete revolution bringing the figure 420 to the position shown inFigure 1 and the pawl will have indexed the slide 4 an additionalposition to the left so that the window will appear over figure 420. Forany figures to be added under 200 the operation is the same and thecorrect figure will appear in the window, in view of the spacing of thefigures in the circular-spiral paths in the manner explained.

When all the numbers are added, and it is desired to use the deviceagain, it is necessary only to turn the disc so that the index mark 2!is adjacent the extension l5 and in this position the pawl 3| will befree so that the slide can be moved back to the right in the positionshown in Figure 1.

It will be obvious that instead of arranging the figures on the surfaceof the disc in a circular-spiral path they may be arranged in a trulycontinuous spiral and that instead of the pawl 3| a pinion with gearteeth may engage teeth on the slide 4 so as to move the slide to theleft in a continuous manner in the same rate at which the figuresadvance in the spiral path. Alternatively, a friction drive might beemployed. These embod ments permit the slide to be moved to the right asthe disc is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, so that numbers maybe subtracted by rotating the disc in the opposite direction from thatused in addition. A row of numbers from 200 to 0 beside the row ofnumbers from 0 to 200 can be placed on the upper face member 2, to beused when subtractions are to be made. In another embodiment utilizingthe same principle of our invention, the disc 3 has a groove in a spiralor circular-spiral path following the path of the figures and aprojection on the slide 4 fits in the groove so that the slide 4 ismoved to the left as the disc is rotated. The embodiment shown in thedrawing, however, is believed to be the most convenient form since itpermits a ready resetting of the slide when the pawl 3| is out ofengagement with the teeth.

We have described the device with a capacity for a total sum as well asthe individual numbers to be added that are in relation to bowlingscores and the total sum of such scores in an ordinary game. It will beobvious that by varying the spacing of the holes 20 or by increasing thesize of the device, larger or smaller numbers may be added at onesequence. In addition, by providing a greater or lesser number of turnsin the circular-spiral path and a greater number of teeth on the slide,the total number of figures represented on the disc which represents thesum which may be added, may be increased.

Having described our principle of the inven tion and the best method inwhich we contemplate applying this principle, the following claim isappended which is directed to the improvement which we regard as ourinvention or discovery.

We claim:

An adding device comprising a circular lower face member and a circularupmr face member having a slideway therein, means for joining said upperand lower face members together at the center thereof and at a point onthe edge thereof whereby they are held in non-rotatable positionrelative to each other, a rotatable disc extending beyond said facemembers throughout the periphery of said disc except at the edge pointwhere the face members are joined, perforations on the periphery of saiddisc, numbers on the periphery of the upper face member spaced inaccordance with the perforations, figures uniformly arranged in aconvoluted path in which the number of figures in each convolution isequivalent to the number of holes in the periphery of the disc, themajor portion of each convolution of said path being circular and theminor portion being spiral leading to the next circular portion, a slidehaving ratchet teeth formed therein and mounted for movement in saidslideway over said figures, a window within said slide through which oneof said figures may be read, and a pawl movable with said disc andacting on said ratchet teeth to advance said slide during the time thespirally arranged figures appear in said window so that the window willalways appear over the numbers in said curved path.

FRANKLIN VEA'ICH. MELVIN M. FINK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 509,722 Dalton et a1 Nov. 28,1893 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 157,086 Switzerland Nov. 16,1932 872,006 France Jan. 29, 1942

